By Libya Herald reporters.
Tripoli, 28 April 28 2015:
The Tripoli-based continuing General National Congress (GNC) has rejected as “unbalanced” the latest draft . . .[restrict]of political agreement that UNSMIL has produced following the last round of talks in the Moroccan resort of Skhirat.
Saleh Makhzoum, the GNC deputy president who has lead the body’s negotiating team in the dialogue, said that draft took the process nowhere and did not reflect what had been discussed in Morocco. He complained that whereas UNSMIL chief Bernardino Leon had “ talked about a balanced and harmonised solution”, the proposal was “not balanced and does not respect the Supreme Court ruling, neither does it meet the aspirations of the revolutionary fighters for a political and balanced solution to the Libyan crisis”.
However, Makhzoum also made it clear that the GNC would not pull out of the Dialogue process. “We will not suspend our participation in the dialogue”, he said indicating that his side were looking for what he called “real solutions” and would make counter proposals. These would come he stated, following talks with “activists and revolutionary fighters” – a reference to Libya Dawn.
The participants in the Dialogue have been asked by UNSMIL to make comments on the draft by 3 May.
It is clear that what has caused the GNC to throw out the deal was the proposal that the House of Representatives (HoR) be recognised as the legitimate parliament, not the GNC. Under the draft, “Government of National Accord” would be chosen by the HoR and be responsible to it alone.
The only offering to the GNC is a 100-strong State Council which under Article 40 of the draft would be “the highest consultative body”, but with no power. Composed of “former parliamentarians [i.e. a number of members of the GNC] and personalities who are respected and trusted by Libyans and whose standing in state affairs, civil society and local community is well recognised”, all it ill be able to do is offer advice.
The Prime Minister and members of the cabinet can attend meetings of the State Council if they wish.
The Tripoli government’s anger at the agreement has been seen in the response by some of its officials. Its “ambassador” in Malta, Hussin Musrati, has accused UNSMIL head Bernardino Leon who has been chairing the dialogue sessions of “dishonesty”, being “unfit to end the Libyan crisis”, of declaring war on Libyans.
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